H1B, H4 Visa

I dont know how to edit the previous post, but i would like to post this with a timeline to make it clear.

H1B renewal interview (i already did f1-h1b stamp before)
12/12/18: Interview at the consulate, visa got approved. i was told to pick up the passport within 5 days
12/12/18: CEAC admin processing
12/17/18 around 3pm: CEAC last updated date got changed. Admin processing
12/17/18 around 4.30 pm: got email from consulate asking about my bachelor degree and F1 in the US
12/18/18 around 8.30 am: got email from consulate asking about OPT

Is this normal? I haven't seen anyone got email from consulate asking them questions. I am a little worried now. How many days usually case changed to issued after the date got updated?

Thanks

I would like to share my experience
Vo: GM
Me: GM
VO: So your working for ABC company
Me: That is correct officer
VO: Typed something for a long time and asked when did I graduate?
Me: Jan2017
VO: When did you start school?
Me: Jan 2015
VO: Where you about to join school a semester before?
Me: No officer.
VO: Again typed something for a long time on his screen and told me VISA has been approved. gave me a green sheet which says "your application has been approved . your passport and visa will be sent to the location you selected when you made your application. A message will be sent via SMS or Email to your registered mobile/ email address.

I checked the status immediately when I came home and it say my VISA is under administrative processing and it may take upto sever weeks. VO dint ask for offer letter, i797 or any other document. All he took was my passport. Is this strange or normal?

submitted documents on November 27,2018 at hyd consulate

Nov 29- Application received
December 6 - admin process. got an email from consulate to attend interview and finger prints on dec 17

dec 17 -2018 interview

went to consulate, proceed to counter 6, then asked to go for counter 7 for finger prints. there they gave a counter 16 to proceed for interview.

Interview:
Me : gud mrng officer, how u dng?
VO : gud and u?
me: good
vo: is this your 1st h1?
me: no mam, this is my extension.
vo: sorry, who is ur employer?
me: abc
vo: do u work at employer or client loc?
me; client mam
vo: who is ur client and where is it located?
me: xx company, yy city, state
vo: how do u communicate with ur compny ?
me: answered
vo: job role?
me: xxx
vo: duties and responsibilities?
me: ansewered
vo: what does ur company do?
me: answered
vo: how big is ur company and how many employees?
me : answered
vo: ur visa is approved
me: thanks, have a good day!

I want to share my case:

I did interview for my h1b transfer with consular processing in Indonesia on 12/12/18. During interview the visa officer approved my visa with. After 3 business days, I got an email from the consulate asking my previous educational background during my time in the US. On the 4th business day, I got another email asking details about my OPT.

This is my second h1b stamping. I did f1 to h1 stamping last year with no issue.

I called the consulate to ask whether my case is under 221(g) administrative processing, and the officer told me it's not. It is still pending for additional review.

Does anyone have this same experience? Any input is appreciated

I was on F1 from 2012 to 2016; CPT/OPT for 4 months, and continued with H1B. Did not appear for stamping for two years until now. Direct employer. Materials Science field. Working as Scientist/Chemist.

I was at Chennai consulate. Interview was smooth and I was asked following questions (order slightly changed, as I don't remember)

VO: What is your purpose of travel?
Me: I am here for my H1B stamping.
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: Told
VO: Where is your location?
Me: Told
VO: What is your position title?
Me: Told
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Told
VO: What do you do for the company?
Me: Explained my duties for a minute
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: MS - Master of Science
VO: Which university and when did you graduate?
Me: Told
VO: Do you have prior experience with this nature of work?
Me: Explained that I have similar work done during my Masters.
VO: Have you been on OPT?
Me: Yes mam.
VO: Have you ever been out of status?
Me: No mam.

Takes out 221g blue slip, notes down case number, and says something to the effect of "this is a common procedure these days to put applications for administrative processing. Universities don't update us when students graduate".

I asked how long it would take, for which VO said 2 business days. I asked when I can expect my passport or I repeated similar question, for which VO said 5-7 business days. I was thinking in mind, why 2 different answers for similar questions.

She points out h1b visa worker rights brochure and asked if I have one. I replied that I already have an electronic copy.

I asked if she needs my i-797 approval notice, for which she said that she already has electronic copy and wouldn't require one from me. VO told me that I will receive notification once my administrative processing is complete.

She may have asked for my employer letter, and I might have given her. I don't remember properly.

She took my passport and I left. No additional documents asked.

Timeline:

Dec 9th Sun - Fingerprinting
Dec 10th Mon - Interview
Dec 12th Wed - Status changed/updated
Dec 13th Thurs - Status changed to "Issued". Passport tracking said that Passport received from consular section and currently processed for delivery
Dec 14th Fri - Received my passport at my residence. (premium delivery)

Additional points that can be of help:

If you are returning from US for visa stamping, make visa appointment as your priority to allow additional time for processing. As soon as you land, take shower and appear for interview. Lol.

Strange thing is, I did not receive any email/sms notification about anything. I kept tracking the status online myself. Had I not done it, I might have been in for a surprise visit from the delivery person on Friday with my passport. So do not worry about notifications. Track status yourself online.

If you are in Chennai consulate, don't be surprised about the long queue outside the consulate. Reach 15 mins before your appointment time. Go directly to talk with consulate representatives/security to let you in. People are let in, in batches according to the appointment time. You don't have to be in common line. Also, don't try to come too early unless you enjoy watching traffic, and it is NOT necessary to come in too early.

DO NOT bring any electronic items including remote control car keys. A person in front of me waited all the way in the line to be sent back for having car keys after reaching the security point inside the consulate. I felt bad for him. You will go through a hassle, unless you can have someone waiting outside to carry all your electronics. Wallet is fine. Carry all the documents in a plastic file folder.

Once you are done with the interview, you can call your loved ones for Rs.5 or Rs.10 in the corner of the street next to the tea shop.

Do not carry backpack unless you are ready to shell out few hundred Rs for a stranger outside the consulate.

Don't worry too much about attire. I appeared in round neck t-shirt and a jean. I was pretty sure VOs do not offer visa for my attire. It is your convenience.

I initially had a question whether i-140 filing will anyway affect the stamping process. I did not find proper information online. I had my i-140 filed last month, and I did mention “yes” in the DS-160 form. This did not affect the VO decision.

Let me know if you have any questions. Sorry to make you read a long post.

I work as a consultant (EVC) model, didn’t carry a client letter but did carried an email from client manager.

12/16/18 - Fingerprinting
12/17/18 - visa interview at 9:30, after all the waiting and formalities, I was at the consulate officer window around 10:20 AM.

Me : Good morning, how are you doing today.
VO : Good morning, am fine how about you.
Me: am fine, thanks
VO: Hand me your I797.
VO: YYYY X, huh? ( YYYY is my employer). How long you been working for them?
Me: close to three years
VO: where do you work.
Me: I work at a client location in New York City.
VO: who is your client.
Me : YYYY YYYY
VO: were you working at the same building all the time.
Me : yes
VO : what Projects you working on for YYYY YYYY
Me: explained briefly for a min ( don’t think she listened attentively, I guess the idea is to test the confidence and how well I know about my project).
VO: what’s your wife status
Me: she is on H4
VO: any kids?
Me: No, got married only year and half back *soft chuckle*
VO: * she smiled back * what is your salary?
Me: XX$ per hour (told my hourly wage as per LCA)
VO: Annually?
Me: YYYY K
VO: when you filled your application, you acknowledged that you know your rights, is that right?
Me: yes mam
VO: how big is YYYY , how many employees work for them?
Me: they have around 102 employees
VO: if you wish to get a soft copy of your rights, you can download from our website. Your visa is approved.
Me: thank you and have a good day.

Current status says Administrative processing, hopefully it changes to Issues by end of this week.

Hi All,

I do see from appointments page, the earliest available time slot is at 9 am.
does the 8 am , 8.30 am slot also available?

Thanks,

I have scheduled and appointment for VAC (Biometrics) and Consulate (Personal Interview) for my H1-B stamping and got appointment confirmation for the same.

However after a week I got an email from ustravel docs saying below:

Due to scheduling changes, the Nonimmigrant Unit of the Hyderabad Consulate will not be able to honor your appointment scheduled on xx-xx-xxxx. You will have to reschedule your existing appointment at the Visa Application Center for your biometric enrollment and your interview appointment at the Consulate. There is NO NEED to contact the call center or customer support—simply login to your profile and reschedule both of your appointments.

Any reason why I was asked to reschedule my appointment after initial confirmation and what does this scheduling changes mean? Based on my interview dates I have scheduled and booked all my tickets/plan etc....any suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thank you

My Case: Employer and client change.

6-Nov-2018 : Dropbox at hyd
15-Nov-2018 : Face to face interview and got whiteslip for admin processing.

It's been more than 5 weeks and waiting for the update. Anyone in same situation ? Interview went good and I was informed by visa officer that passport will be issued within 5-10 business days.
Really disappointing after canceling flight tickets and no idea by when will get the update.

Case : Same company, same location and Same visa type
11-Dec-2018 - Dropped at Hyderabad drop box with Original PP and I 797 copy
13-Dec-2018 - Application received

No updates after that till now. Booked my return ticket on 22nd Dec. Now my fingers crossed.
Any one else in the similar situation? What's the timeline at Hyderabad location now?
Appreciate any info..